World shares mostly retreated and oil prices jumped Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran that the “clock is ticking” as U.S.-Iran negotiations stalled, according to reports from financial markets.
Traders reacted swiftly to the comments, with major indexes in Europe and Asia posting losses as uncertainty grew over potential disruptions in the Middle East. Oil futures climbed notably, reflecting concerns that any escalation could affect global supply routes.
Trump’s statement came amid ongoing talks that have shown little progress in recent weeks. Officials in Washington have expressed frustration with the pace of discussions, and the president’s remarks signaled a hardening stance.
“The clock is ticking,” Trump said in reference to the stalled negotiations with Tehran. The phrase was widely cited by market analysts monitoring the situation for signs of broader economic fallout.
European stock exchanges opened lower, with Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 both declining in early trading. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng indexes also finished the session in negative territory, according to data compiled by market observers.
Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate both rose more than 1 percent in response to the news. Analysts noted that even modest geopolitical tensions in the region tend to push energy prices higher as investors price in supply risks.
The developments follow months of diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran aimed at reviving aspects of the 2015 nuclear agreement. Progress has been slow, with both sides accusing the other of failing to meet key conditions.
Market participants said the warning added to existing volatility driven by inflation concerns and central bank policy shifts. Some investors moved into safer assets such as gold and government bonds as a hedge.
Tehran has not issued an immediate public response to the latest comments. Iranian officials have previously stated that they remain open to talks but will not accept terms they view as one-sided.
Energy companies with exposure to the region saw share price movements as well. Several major producers reported increased trading volumes as the day progressed.
Economists cautioned that sustained higher oil prices could feed into broader inflation readings in the coming months. Central banks on both sides of the Atlantic are already navigating tight policy decisions.
Further updates are expected as diplomats continue their efforts and markets digest the implications of the president’s remarks. Traders will be watching for any follow-up statements from the White House or Iranian representatives.